{"id":1423492,"date":"2026-01-11T18:26:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T18:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1423492"},"modified":"2026-01-12T12:43:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T12:43:04","slug":"post-match-analysis-man-utd-vs-brighton-11-01-26","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-man-utd-vs-brighton-11-01-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Man Utd vs Brighton stats and analysis: Welbeck makes toothless Red Devils pay in FA Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Manchester United<\/a>‘s problems mounted as they crashed out of the FA Cup<\/a> with a 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton<\/a> on Sunday.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In just their second game since the departure of Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils looked toothless in attack, and succumbed to goals from Brajan Gruda in the 12th minute and Danny Welbeck in the 65th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benjamin Sesko managed to pull a goal back in the 85th minute, but United’s fate was sealed when Shea Lacey was given a second yellow card for dissent in the final minute of normal time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Defensive disorganisation and toothless attack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was a horror show at both ends of the pitch for Man Utd on Sunday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darren Fletcher’s side struggled for long periods to create meaningful openings, managing just seven shots on target throughout the match. And when they did find gaps in the Brighton defence, they continued to show the sort of profligacy that has cost them so many times this season, missing both of their big chances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benjamin Sesko hit the target with just one of his first three shots and missed 0.25 xG’s worth of efforts, while Matheus Cunha missed the target with all three of his attempts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, Brighton should also be given credit for a huge defensive effort, which saw them make 30 clearances, 22 tackles, three blocks and eight interceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, it was more of the same that we’ve become used to from United: disjointed and often disinterested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Red Devils were no more convincing at the back either. They allowed a Brighton side with just one win in their last eight before Sunday the freedom to create four big chances from 13 shots at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike United, Brighton made the most of their chances. Welbeck got behind the United defence in the eighth minute and was allowed to cross too easily by Mason Mount, with the ball finding Gruda for an easy finish. And in the second half, Gruda returned the favour with an inch-perfect pass to Welbeck, who took the ball on the turn and unleashed a ruthless finish beyond Senne Lammens in front of his old supporters — but despite the spectacular nature of the goal, Fletcher will be fuming with just how passive his defenders were in the build-up. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Man Utd 1-2 Brighton key stats<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n